Blog #6 — Theology, Worship and the Arts
In my journey through life as a Catholic and a theology minor at Notre Dame, I have come to realize the importance of a community gathering together under one roof for Mass. This notion was made clearly apparent over the past year, as the Covid-19 pandemic has completely changed our way of life. No longer can we gather together in person to celebrate Mass as we once did. The options of online Mass or watching the celebration on TV are decent alternatives, but for me there is an essential element lacking — we are separated from one another. The true blessing of Mass — and in life I would argue — is that we as human beings are able to come together, support one another, and live our lives in solidarity with Christ.
My experience with attending Mass had drastically changed when I celebrated my first Mass at Notre Dame in my dorm, Dunne Hall. Growing up, Mass seemed boring, and at times, a chore (sorry God). But as I started to attend Mass in Dunne’s Chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Basil Moreau, my appreciation for and desire to attend Mass dramatically rose. I enjoyed taking time to relax on Sunday, give thanks to God, and most importantly be present with my dear friends from Dunne. I would argue Dunne’s Chapel would fit the mold of a Modern Communal Church, as described by Kieckhefer.
After reading Kieckhefer’s work, I have begun to appreciate and understand my dorm’s chapel, especially its spatial dynamics, in a more profound way. The first thing that comes to mind is the tight-knit atmosphere — low ceilings and dark wood floors and columns exude a strong feeling of intimacy. Furthermore, I become aware that the seating in the chapel is somewhat circular. The chapel is furnished with pews that directly face the altar; however, there are also chairs on the sides that allow for more seating as well as an enclosed, concert-like atmosphere. I also have become aware of the lack of a “centering-focus” within the chapel. Unlike Sacramental Churches with elaborate altars or Evangelical Churches with large spaces for preachers to be seen, the Communal Church feeds off of its attendees. The people of the Mass are the centering-focus. The circular environment allows everyone to see one another. In hindsight, this idea is made most apparent while we give one another the sign of peace at Mass. In Dunne it is commonplace for the residents to walk around at this time and give friends hugs, trying to reach everyone inside if possible. The people truly are what make the Mass special.
The aesthetic design and the imbedded symbolism of the chapel also add to the experience of worship as a whole. Kieckhefer argues that churches are meant to be ornamental and luxurious — the aesthetics should leave us in awe and wonder as we enter God’s home. This splendor of the church should cultivate a feeling of reverence within us — allowing us to worship and praise God more deeply. Dunne was built in 2016, and not a day goes by where I don’t feel absolutely blessed that I live in new, well-built, beautiful dorm. It gives me great pride to call Dunne home, and the luxury that is Dunne Hall and it’s chapel truly does leave me in awe. The stained glass windows that surround us, being able to sit in pews rather than folding chairs, the beautiful icon of Basil Moreau behind the altar, all make Mass in Dunne so much more special. All of this physical matter matters. It symbolically points to something more — it helps us see invisible realities and makes it present in our lives. Our present viewing of the icon of Moreau calls us to learn from His life in the past and guides our way of life for the future. While we worship during Mass, these symbols guide us to something greater.
My perception of Mass has drastically changed over the course of my three and a half years at Notre Dame, but also over the past week during this Winter theology course. I have come to not only appreciate being present in a beautiful Chapel every Sunday, acknowledging the aspects of a Communal Church that Kieckhefer outlines, but I have also come to truly appreciate being present with the community of the church — together, worshiping a God who loves all His creation. Sharing the experience of Mass with people I have become great friends with and care after has transformed Mass into something so much more for me. I cannot wait for the day that we are able to come together again and celebrate Mass in Dunne’s Chapel.
